University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Syllabi Course Syllabi 9-2014 MAR 355.01: Directing the Fiction Film Michael R. Murphy University of Montana - Missoula, [email protected]Let us know how access to this document benefits you. Follow this and additional works at: hps://scholarworks.umt.edu/syllabi is Syllabus is brought to you for free and open access by the Course Syllabi at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Syllabi by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Recommended Citation Murphy, Michael R., "MAR 355.01: Directing the Fiction Film" (2014). Syllabi. 1699. hps://scholarworks.umt.edu/syllabi/1699
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University of MontanaScholarWorks at University of Montana
Syllabi Course Syllabi
9-2014
MAR 355.01: Directing the Fiction FilmMichael R. MurphyUniversity of Montana - Missoula, [email protected]
Let us know how access to this document benefits you.Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/syllabi
This Syllabus is brought to you for free and open access by the Course Syllabi at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted forinclusion in Syllabi by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please [email protected].
Recommended CitationMurphy, Michael R., "MAR 355.01: Directing the Fiction Film" (2014). Syllabi. 1699.https://scholarworks.umt.edu/syllabi/1699
COURSE DESCRIPTIONThis is an undergraduate level directing sem inar and laboratory course.
COURSE OBJECTIVESPersonal connection with Story
M eaning m aking— w hat m attersC haracter— he/she who believes or struggles tow ard belief Relationship— com m unication/connection
History—th e circumstances/seeds of the growth of character/m eaning
Setting— w here it occurs—the physical constraints/opportunities
Philosophy— W hy it is im portan t— th e broader construct of m eaning and point o f view
Spatial Exploration and Articulation of PsychologyW itho u t a Frame
The floorplan
Homes
Public Spaces
Unm arked spaces
The one— personal space/given circumstances
The tw o —The B ubbles--Public/Personal/lntim ate
The th re e — Com petitive focus
The fo u r— balance/im balance
The five— com m unity o f relations
Exploration of the Mise en scene (the shot) Staging an ActionSettingComposition
The vertical axisVolum e/ShapeGradationOpen vs. Closed Frame Realism vs. Formalism
M ovem ent/B locking
Actors
Camera
CostumeProduction Design
Lighting
Working with the ActorCastingThe Read-thru/discussion
RehearsalProduction/Shooting
Criteria for the classYou will be graded in this class by my analysis of your ability to:
• be able to articulate dram atic action, structures and patterns through script and film
analysis
• block camera and actors accounting fo r th e psychology of space and mise en scene
• w ork m eaningfully in rehearsal
• articulate dram atic action in m o m ent-to -m om ent w ith actors and D.P.
• organize th e mise en scene to reflect the world of the story
• tell th e story w ith shots
• tell th e story through realistic acting
• give constructive feedback to your classmates
• apply faculty critique to your w ork
• MEET DEADLINES!
TEXTS AND READING MATERIALS1. The Visual Story, Bruce Block (textbook)2. On Film -M aking, A lexander Mackendrick3. The Courage to Create by Rollo M ay (pdf)4. On Directing Film, by David M am et (pdf)5. Elia Kazan "On W hat M akes a D irector" (pdf)6. Various Other Flandouts
COURSE POLICIES
Projects/Grading:6 Still Image Assignments from The Visual Story @ 5 pts.4 One-minute film projects @ 15 pts.=
Incident Film/Bullet Point Script Hitchcock film Actor-based film Personal One-minute script
Classroom Participation =TOTAL POINTS
= 30 pts.60 pts.
10 pts.100 pts.
2
CLASS TOPICS, ASSIGNMENTS, AND DUE DATES
Pre-Week 1 Read: Excerpt, The Courage to Create, Rollo May
W eek 1 Aug. 27
THE ROLE OF THE DIRECTORIn Class: View and discuss Francois T ruffaut's Day fo r N ight
and The Courage to Create Reading Assignments: M am et On Directing Film Chapter 1
The Last Duchess, Robert Browning Samuel Scudder: Agassiz and the Fish
Action Assignments: Bring in a life incident fo r a short film Online Discussion: Discuss above readings fo r the week.
W eek 2 Sept.
3
THEMATICS, DEVELOPMENT (THE FISH)In Class: Sharing o f "Inc ident" stories (shaping POV character/ Them e/P lot) Apply the M am et chapter to examples Reading Assignments: Mackendrick, The Solomon Exercise, Dram atic Irony, Point o f ViewAction Assignments: Bullet-point version o f the incident.Online Discussion: Post scripts by the weekend fo r feedback.
W eek 3 Sept.
10
DIRECTING FOR THE CUTIn Class: Discuss Mackendrick Chapters
Rehearsal and Storyboard Groups Reading Assignment: NoneAction Assignment: Shoot and Upload Incident film s Online Discussion: Feedback on Films
W eek 4 Sept.
DEVELOPING THE VISUAL STORYIn Class: Discuss Incident Films
Re-work fo r re-shooting!Reading Assignment: Chapters 1 & 2 from The Visual Image
(Visual C om ponents/A ffin ity & Contrasts) Action Assignment: Re-shoot Incident Films!Online Discussion: Response to re-shootings
W eek 5 Sept.
COLLABORATION AND NON-LINEARITY IN PROCESSIn Class: Review 2 cuts Incident Films
Discuss A ffin ity /C ontrast w ith examples Reading Assignment: Chapter 3 from The Visual Image (Space) Action Assignment: Photos re: Space/Affin ity and Contrast Online Discussion: Response to Photos
W eek 6 O c t-1
THE PRODUCTION MEETING: DEBONO + LATERAL THINKINGIn Class: Chapter 3 (Space) and "The Creative Process"
Collage Incident Film Reading Assignment: Chapter 4 from The Visual Image (Line &
3
Shape)Action Assignment: Shoot photos on Line and Shape/ Idea for Film 2 Online Discussion : Respond to photos on Line and Shape
W eek 7 Oct. 8
THE PRODUCTION MEETING: LINE AND SHAPEIn Class: Discuss Line and Shape and Film 2 IdeasReading Assignment: Chapter 5 & 6 from The Visual Image (Tone &Color)Action Assignment: Tone/Color shots and Script fo r Film 2 Online Discussion: Respond to Photos and scripts
W eek 8 O ct.15
THE PRODUCTION MEETING: TONE AND COLOR In Class: Discuss Tone and Color
Rehearse Film #2 Reading Assignment: Chapter 7 & 8 from The Visual Image
(M ovem ent/Rhythm )Action Assignment: 3 Videos/Edits on M ovem ent and Rhythm and
Film 2 Shoot Online Discussion: Respond to online postings
W eek 9 Oct. 22
THE PRODUCTION MEETING: STORY AND VISUAL STRUCUTRE In Class: Film #2 and Shots/ Rehearse Re-shooting Reading Assignment: Chapters 9 & 10 from The Visual Image (Story and Visual Structure/Practice, Not Theory)Action Assignment: Re-shoot, post, Idea for Film #3 Online Discussion: Respond to online Postings
iA/eek 1C f ct. 29
FINAL PROJECT PRE-PRODUCTIONIn Class: Discuss Re-shoots and Chapters 9 and 10
"Fish' the latest story ideas Reading Assignment: Mackendrick: "The D irector and the Actor" Action Assignment: Production Meeting/Casting Online Discussion: Pre-production Communication
iA/eek V.T jov. |
FINAL PROJECT PRE-PRODUCTIONIn Class: Pre-production reports/discuss Mackendrick/rehearse a scene each from 2 film sReading Assignment: Mackendrick: "The D irector and the Actor" Action Assignment: Rehearsal/Location Scouting
iA/eek 11 Nov. 12
FINAL PROJECT PRODUCTION (SHOOTING)In Class: ALL WORK FOR THIS WEEK IS ON LOCATION.
iA/eek 15 Nov. 19
FINAL PROJECT PRODUCTION (SHOOTING)In Class: ALL WORK FOR THIS WEEK IS ON LOCATION
4
\A/eek 1 ̂Nov. 26
\
THANKSGIVING WEEK1A/eek 1!:
Dec. 3FINAL PROJECT POST-PRODUCTION (EDITING)In Class: Viewing o f Rough Cuts
Finals ClassTHUR. DEC. 12™ 1:10-3:10—VIEWING OF FILMS Due: Final Film Role Paper/Description/Research
ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT AND THE STUDENT CONDUCT CODE All students must practice academic honesty. Academic misconduct is subject to an
academic penalty by the course instructor and /o r a disciplinary sanction by the University. All students need to be fam ilia r w ith the Student Conduct Code. The Code is
available fo r review online at h ttp ://w w w .um t.edu/S A /vpsa /index.c fm /page/1339
DISABILITY ACCOMODATION
Students w ith disabilities may request reasonable modifications by contacting me. The
University o f M ontana assures equal access to instruction through collaboration betw een
students w ith disabilities, instructors, and Disability Services fo r Students (DSS). "Reasonable"
means the University permits no fundam ental alterations of academic standards or retroactive
modifications. For m ore inform ation, please consult h ttp ://w w w .u m t.ed u /d isab ility .